Tortilla Española - Spanish Omelette

It certainly is a poor man or woman who cannot find a few eggs, a couple of potatoes and an onion in their cupboard! The ever-practical Spaniard realized this and thus created their marvellous "tortilla" - an easy-to-make dish that could be savoured by rich and poor alike.

Not only cheap to make, the tortilla or Spanish omelette, is immensely adaptable: you can eat it hot or cold, depending on the weather and your mood; you can enjoy a small slice as a "tapa" (snack) in between meals; or, accompanied by a multi- coloured mixed salad and crusty, fresh Spanish bread, you have a marvellous main meal! Should unexpected guests come knocking at your door ... just whip out the ever-adaptable tortilla, pour them a glass of smooth, Spanish wine and they are bound to be delighted!

Unlike the better-known French omelette, which should be made quickly and over a high heat, the Spanish omelette needs to be cooked more gently, so that the middle is not too runny. The French omelette is best eaten straight away and always hot. Its Spanish counterpart, on the other hand, improves if left to rest for at least five minutes before eating, keeps well for a couple of days in the fridge, and can easily be re-heated in the microwave, unless you prefer it cold.

As with the French omelette, the Spanish tortilla is made in a frying pan (preferably non-stick) but, unlike the French version, both sides need to be browned. For this reason, it is possible to buy special tortilla frying pans - a sort of double pan which allows you to swish the omelette over to cook the other side!

Most people prefer the traditional method of placing a plate on top of the pan, turning the tortilla out and then returning to the pan to cook the underside. But the simplest method is to place the frying pan under the grill to brown. Whichever way you choose to prepare it, once cooked, leave it to cool a little, cover with a large plate, then gently ease out the omelette. It should be circular, about an inch-and-a-half thick, and it is usual to cut it in slices or wedges.

Having said that, you can divide it into small cubes, pop cocktail sticks on top, and serve along with other "bits and pieces" as an aperitif. Spanish recipes for tortilla vary from region to region - also what you have in the fridge and what you fancy!

You can replace the potato with, say, spinach, leave out the onion, add a bit more garlic, etc, etc. Just use your imagination! Below is a recipe for traditional potato-and-onion tortilla.